AST201L.Lab5.Word
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Northern Arizona University *
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Course
201
Subject
Astronomy
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
7
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NAME & USERNAME:
SECTION: LAB 5
MOON PHASES
INTRODUCTION
Because of Moon’s orbital motion around the Earth, the Moon goes
through cycles of phases every month (see Figure 5.1). Long before we
understand the modern scientific explanations, Indigenous People and
every culture around the world already knew how to track these phases
and utilize the phases for many life purposes such as time keeping,
farming, seasonal weather changes. Many cultures have one-year-long
complicated calendars based on lunar phases. Navajo culture even has
a daily calendar that is based on the Moon phases, and you will learn a
little of that in this lab.
For this lab, you will track the Moon phases for a week by using a
smart phone with a camera (or just a camera),
and you will need to
find time to make short observations of the Moon after sunset. Make
plans early on to carry out your observations. You cannot carry
out all of this lab the night before it is due!
LEARNING GOALS
The points below are the expected topics to understand by the end of this lab period. Remember to review these points before completing
the lab. If you do not understand one, review the steps that cover it and discuss with your instructor.
Determine the difference of Moonrise times each day
Observe and determine the phases of the Moon on different nights
Learn the significance of Navajo daily Moon phase calendar
LAB5-1
Figure 5.1: Astronomical Phases of the Moon. The Moon's appearance cycles counterclockwise through these stages in about a month's time (image from moonconnection.com).
NAME & USERNAME:
SECTION: STEP 1: MOONRISE AND MOONSET TIMES
1.
Find the Moonrise and Moonset times for Flagstaff at www.timeanddate.com/moon/usa/flagstaff
. Your instructor will tell you the
appropriate dates to record for this lab. If you are not in Flagstaff, simply go to the same website and change the location to where
you are. Note that if the Moon sets after midnight, the website will assign it to the date for the next day!
1.
[2pt] Find the Sunset times for Flagstaff at www.timeanddate.com/sun/usa/flagstaff
. Also record the times in the table below. Use
this information below to help you observe the Moon after the Sun sets and it is dark enough outside.
Date
Time of Moonrise
Time of Sunset
Time of Moonset
Minutes between the Moonrises
2
nd
8:16 pm
6:09pm
11:13am(3
rd
)
-
3
rd
8:58pm
6:07pm
12:18pm(4
th
)
36 minutes 4
th
9:46pm
6:06pm
1:16pm(5
th
)
58 minutes 5
th
10:40pm
6:04pm
2:07pm(6
th
)
51 minutes
6
th
11:37pm
6:03pm
2:49pm(7
th
)
32 minutes
7
th
12:37am(8
th
)
6:02pm
3:25pm(8
th
) 36 minutes 8
th
1:36am(9
th
)
6:00pm
3:55pm(9
th
)
59 minutes 9
th
2:35am(10
th
)
5:59pm
4:22pm(10
th
)
27 minutes 10
th
3:33am(11
th
)
5:58pm
4:46pm(11
th
)
24 minutes LAB5-2
NAME & USERNAME:
SECTION: 3.
[1pt] Use the last column in the table above, calculate how much Moonrise time changes from night to night on average.
The Average time of all the Moonrise is 36 minutes. 4.
[3pt] Make observations of the Moon on 3 different nights from among the dates in the above table. Make sure that your first and
last observations are at least 7 nights apart
. Take pictures of the Moon with your phone and insert them below together with the
date and time of observations. To submit the photo assignments below, you can 1) paste the digital photo in this file below, or 2)
submit them directly on Canvas as attached files. Make it clear to your instructor on how you submit your photos.
I used https://stellarium-web.org
to get my pictures of the moon. Date & Time of Picture One: 9:53pm 10/2/2023
Copy Picture One here:
Date & Time of Picture Two: 10:00pm 10/5/2023
Copy Picture Two here:
LAB5-3
Outdoor sky-watching exercise
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NAME & USERNAME:
SECTION: Date & Time of Picture Three: 9:52pm 10/8/2023
Copy Picture Three here:
LAB5-4
NAME & USERNAME:
SECTION: LAB5-5
NAME & USERNAME:
SECTION: STEP 2: WESTERN AND NAVAJO MOON PHASES
1.
[3pt] Now use the information from your observations to identify the lunar phase on those nights. Identify the astronomical phases
using Figure 5.1 above. Identify the Navajo Phases using the charts at the end of this lab. Tabulate the information below:
Date in Year: ___________
Astronomical Phase
Navajo Phase
10/2/23
Wanning Gibbous Beginning into Last Quarter Moon
10/5/23
Wanning Gibbous
Approaching Last Quarter Moon
10/8/23
Wanning Crescent Beginning of New Moon
For the Astronomical Phases, you may get the same answer on consecutive nights. For the Navajo Phases, use the English
Translation of the Navajo word as given in the last page.
2.
[1pt] Based on these observations, comment on the use of lunar phases to identify specific days in a month. Be specific about the
accuracy of distinguishing lunar phases on consecutive night. Also, consider what other means you could use to associate a particular
phase with the order and number of a nights in the lunar cycle. Please use 2 to 3 complete sentences for your answer.
The uses of the lunar phases are to get a good understanding of what day it is, even though most of the time it not reliable unless it’s; Full
Moon, First Quarter Moon, New Moon, Last Quarter Moon. As the moon shrinks or grow they can set a certain number to it, so that it’s a
less confusing and each day has its own way of sticking out then having a group of days being call the wanning crescent phase.
You may use any website to see the lunar phases and download their pictures as alternatives, if the sky is cloudy throughout the assigned
dates. Please state clearly on your lab if you do it this way, and write the website where you downloaded the moon photos.
LAB5-6
Alternatives To Observations
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NAME & USERNAME:
SECTION: APPENDIX 5.A: NAVAJO MOON PHASES VOCABULARY SHEET
LAB5-7